GeoMonday 2017.2 – A global map of roadless areas

„Roads fragment landscapes and trigger human colonization and degradation of ecosystems, to the detriment of biodiversity and ecosystem functions. The planet’s remaining large and ecologically important tracts of roadless areas sustain key refugia for biodiversity and provide globally relevant ecosystem services. Applying a 1-kilometer buffer to all roads, we present a global map of roadless areas and an assessment of their status, quality, and extent of coverage by protected areas. About 80% of Earth’s terrestrial surface remains roadless, but this area is fragmented into ~600,000 patches, more than half of which are <1 km² and only 7% of which are larger than 100 km². Global protection of ecologically valuable roadless areas is inadequate. International recognition and protection of roadless areas is urgently needed to halt their continued loss”. Science (December 2016).

Monika Hoffmann studied at the Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development and works at the Centre for Econics and Ecosystem Management as GIS expert on different projects related to nature conservation.